Method of detecting leaks in sealed containers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting a leak by mixing an amount of odorantith the contents of a sealed container. An amount of odorant having a detectable odor is mixed with the contents of a sealed container. The sealed container with the odorant is placed within a detection zone which is monitored to detect the presence of the odorant which would indicate leakage of the container's contents. The detection zone defines an area within which leakage of the contents will produce a detectable quantity of the odorant. The odorant may be a gas. Preferred odorants are selected from the group consisting of sulfides, cyclic sulfides and mercaptans. In a sealed light source device having radioactive tritium gas, the preferred odorant is hydrogen sulfide which is detectable by individuals in concentrations of at least 5 parts-per-billion (ppb). Individuals, which may be part of a scheduled roving sentry or a patrol, monitor for the presence of the odorant in the detection zone. Mechanical, optical-mechanical, or other such devices may also be used to monitor the presence of the odorant within the detection zone.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a method for detecting leaks of tritium gas from a self-powered, radioluminescent (RL) device, said device having a sealed glass vial containing tritium gas under pressure and the inner walls of the vial being coated with sulfide-based phosphors which luminesce on reaction with beta radiation produced by radioactive decay of the tritium, the improvement comprising having hydrogen sulfide gas mixed with the tritium in an amount sufficient to act as an odorant in the event of leakage of gases from the vial, the concentration, in the vial being at least 5 and up to 200,000 ppb. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the phosphors the vial are selected from zinc and cadmium sulfide. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 wherein the concentration of hydrogen, sulfide in the vial is about 10,000 to 200,00 ppb.